flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Dozens of companies, organizations call for Congress to double Energy Star funding

Codes and Standards

Dozens of companies, organizations call for Congress to double Energy Star funding

Despite broad support, program’s budget has steadily declined in recent years.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | April 26, 2021

Courtesy Pixabay

A coalition of manufacturers, utilities, trade associations, and advocacy groups are urging Congress to double the funding for the U.S. Energy Star program.

Energy Star, housed mostly within the Environmental Protection Agency, “delivers a remarkable bang for the buck in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 330 million metric tons of avoided emission reduction each year—roughly 5% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions annually,” according to a letter sent to Congress by the coalition. “Meanwhile, the program saves American consumers and businesses more than $35 billion annually in avoided energy costs.”

The program has seen its budget steadily decline in recent years with overall cuts at EPA. Adjusted for inflation, its budget, today at $35 million, would need to be about $65 million to keep pace with funding levels of a decade ago, the coalition says.

“We know that Congress is looking for innovative, cost-effective, and high-impact approaches for achieving emissions reductions while also boosting economic productivity,” the letter continues. “Energy Star meets all of those criteria through a voluntary, market-based program with a relatively low cost and with enormous untapped potential.”

Related Stories

Codes and Standards | Jul 29, 2019

ASCE group unveils structural safety database

Confidential reporting on structural failures, near misses, and other incidents.

Codes and Standards | Jul 26, 2019

Floating landscape infrastructure wins top ASCE innovation prize

Climate resiliency a key theme of entrants.

Codes and Standards | Jul 24, 2019

New York making slow progress on resiliency seven years after Hurricane Sandy

Property owners face many challenges; coastal defense project plans are complex and need more time to plan.

Codes and Standards | Jul 23, 2019

Berkeley, Calif. passes nation’s first ordinance to make new buildings all-electric

No gas hook-ups will be allowed in new houses, apartments, and commercial buildings.

Codes and Standards | Jul 22, 2019

San Francisco office building is city’s first structure certified by BREEAM USA for existing buildings

The Landmark @ One Market is one of San Francisco’s most architecturally distinctive buildings.

Codes and Standards | Jul 15, 2019

USGBC calls for proposals for feedback, concepts for next LEED version

The move follows successful public input on LEED 4.1.

AEC Tech | Jul 15, 2019

Lack of standards hampers development of exoskeleton industry

Guidelines, common terminology, and testing methodology are needed, says expert. 

Concrete | Jul 8, 2019

Concrete repair code requirements released

American Concrete Institute offers guidance on assessment, repair, rehab of existing concrete structures.

K-12 Schools | Jul 8, 2019

Collaborative for High Performance Schools releases 2019 Core Criteria Version 3.0 Update

The update adds credits to lower carbon footprints and to promote climate change resiliency.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021